National Aeronautics and Space Administration Mars Water Mining for Future Human Exploration Jan. 13,, 2016 Gerald (Jerry) Sanders NASA/JSC
[email protected] Water on Mars (Simplified) Atmosphere Resource too scarce; not worth the effort . ppm levels Hydrated Soil Permafrost Icy Soils Recurring Slope Aquifers Lineae (RSL) . Water of hydration in . Subsurface . Shallow, nearly pure . Briny water has been . Suspected to be minerals ice/permafrost within ice in newly formed theorized as cause of >1 km below surface the top 5 meters in craters in mid-upper RSLs. <2 to ~13% by mass . Possible Special the mid latitudes latitudes. Fresh . Located at equator- Region . Primary at equator . Deeper ice/ impacts expose ice facing sunward-facing and lower latitudes permafrost may exist excavated from 0.3- sides of craters/ridges . At/near surface at lower latitudes 2.0 meters depth in the 30° to 50° . Concentration %? . Dirty ice at polar latitude range locations: Estimated . RSL sites and to be 90-100 wt% possibly the active H2O, mixed with dust gullies are Special from global dust Regions. storms . Not considered to be Special Regions unless heated to melting In Situ Water Extraction from Mars Soils Beamed Energy Down Hole Energy Electrical/thermal, microwave, or solar energy Microwave or solar energy Cold trap to Cold trap to collect water collect water vapor vapor Collection Collection device seals device seals Water vapor with surface Water vapor with surface released from released from heated soil Bore hole heated soil Bore hole before